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[SarahT]

Is it just me or does anyone else find pain and symptoms unrelated to hormones are far worse during the run up to,  and on their periods?

I have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and being investigated for rheumatoid arthritis. So I am in pain 24 hrs a day, no let up. Whilst I know having fibromyalgia means the body reacts far more severely to pain, I have noted that at this point in my cycle I feel a large increases pain, fatigue and the double whammy of brain fog and  fibro fog.

Anyone else feel their own pain from non hormonal upheaval is worsened at this time in their cycle?

[CLKD]

Morning. Fortunately, no.  Having suffered every month for years, once peri began, pain went and blood loss was less.

It may be that your nerve endings are extra sensitive to anything likely to worse the tenderness and pain.  If U want to go the medication route, I found Feminax really good, the idea being to take it 3 days B4 a period was due.  If U are on regular pain meds.; sorry can't remember if you said already  : R U able to increase the dosage?

This is a good topic .......... 

[Penguin]

Not quite the same but I have weekly acupuncture and definitely feel the needles going in more just before and when on on my period. I don't know why, but things do seem to hurt more!

[SarahT]

Thanks all.
Well,.lucky the period cramps.have more or less disappeared, I still get breast pain and use a high strength evening primrose oil.

For.me, it's definitely more like Penguin gets, so pain that is not caused by hormones, but like Merrygoround feels with her OA pain and other pain condition. Whilst it's a constant pain 24 hrs, it ramps up more prior to and during period. ( although I am on mirena coil for progesterone so I get all the pms symptoms without the actual bleed).

In some ways I am reassured. I was beginning to go down that ' it's me, I just  not strong enough to cope with\ imagining it all in my head ' thing.
The low pressure sensation seems apt. With the fibromyalgia I already feel like I am encased in heavy concrete, the condition can greatly enhance pain anyway, and just when I began to adapt,  my cycle kicks in and it goes extra haywired again.

Painkiller wise my gp said paracetamol.... doesn t touch a thing. Currently on a single cocodamol in the morning so I can have some level of functioning, and naproxen to reduce inflammation which could be rheumatoid arthritis. Then I may be able to review some pain medications.

I empathise with how exhausting chronic pain is. Am trying many lifestyle changes to regain a little of the balance back.

[CLKD]

Would hysterectomy be an option or would that bring it's own issues?

I could take a bottle of paracetamol - all it would do is kill me.  Anything with 'co' in it has me on the floor within hours. 

[SarahT]

I had considered hysterectomy as an option, but I'm 58 this year.... So surely that should finally see an end to the cyclical crap???

So realistically I came to the conclusion it would, as you say, being in a whole new series of difficulties.

So my new plan,( think I just be on plan Z by now,)  is wait for my menstrual cycle to eventually give up the ghost and see how I get on hormonal speaking post meno,  and whether or not so need to adjust my hrt.

Meanwhile I shall  keep working out options medication wise and lifestyle wise, for the time when I get diagnosed either with or without rheumatoid arthritis.

That way I will hopefully figure out what pain\symptom comes from what conditions I am left with, and act on the best treatment for the worse symptoms.

Sometimes you can't help but wonder how much more we're going to be lumped with?😬

[Peach8]

Yes. I have fibro and it got so much worse when peri hit. Adding testosterone to my hrt has helped muscle pain x

[SarahT]

Hey Peach,

I am newly diagnosed with fibro,  have  so still working on best ways to help my pain - and figure bout what is fibromyalgia and what is arthritis.

But 100% notice all.pain gets far worse during periods. ( mirena coil so no bleeds, just all the  pms symptoms!) I also  added in testosterone in January, so early days to tell if it will help yet.

I am adjusting to how debilitating the fibro is. Completely life changing. Am waiting for a test for rheumatoid arthritis before so try to workout what is the best balance of pain meds. I have altered my diet and no option but to try to pace things. Exhausted - you too? X

[Peach8]

Hey Peach,

I am newly diagnosed with fibro,  have  so still working on best ways to help my pain - and figure bout what is fibromyalgia and what is arthritis.

But 100% notice all.pain gets far worse during periods. ( mirena coil so no bleeds, just all the  pms symptoms!) I also  added in testosterone in January, so early days to tell if it will help yet.

I am adjusting to how debilitating the fibro is. Completely life changing. Am waiting for a test for rheumatoid arthritis before so try to workout what is the best balance of pain meds. I have altered my diet and no option but to try to pace things. Exhausted - you too? X

Hi Sarah. My diagnosis was a couple of years ago but I know I've had it for over 20 years. The pain really ramped up when peri hit, it was getting to the point that I could barely function. I tried naproxen and gabapentin but got side affects and no benefits. I now only take hrt and otc pain relief. Testosterone has helped a lot, it has allowed me to get back to the gym and that in itself has had a positive affect physically and mentally. I'm never pain free and some days I'm wiped out, especially if I've pushed myself, it can take a few days to recover. I find heat helps the pain, hot water bottles and baths are great. It can get you down, it's mentally and physically exhausting but I try not to think about it and keep things as normal as it will allow, some days are better than others. I can relate re the pms, I guess it's the fluctuating hormones which is why my pain got worse as I reached peri, aggravating an existing condition. I hope you find something that gives some relief x

[SarahT]

Thanks Peaches,

I am on one cocodamol in the mornings when I am at my absolute worse, just to help me get a wash and dress etc, Naproxen 3 times a day as I have inflammation shown up in an ultra sound ( checking for rheumatoid artritis) helped a bit but that seems to have worn off.I

Have cleaned up my diet a bit and take few supplements  in 2 years I went from power waking 2 hrs a day to now a 20 minute walk it I can. Taken up chair yoga to keep moving and await physio to see how I can build up safely.

My mental health is pretty good now too - but that's following truly serious mood swings thanks to peri making my cyclical moods go through the roof. Think I have hrt right for now with a small AD as well. I know much fibro medication does not work off the side affects are too grim. Am hoping if I get the arthritis under control it may help with the constant all over pain and stiffness. But I feel I I am stronger now so more able to work with the fibromyalgia in my life.

 I also sometimes find heat helps my hands and wrists,bizarrely so does cold! Think that may be a fibre\arthritis cross over.

But Thanks for reaching out, helps to have someone who understands,  it's all pretty new to  me diagnosis wise but I am slowly working out what my body needs and trying to adjust to the ever moving changes! Thought I had accepted the " new me " from the peri hell and now am changing yet again!
Feel I am doing pretty good all in all.

Take care x

[Peach8]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things, just going to take time to figure out what works for you. Mornings are rough but try to keep active best you can. It's so hard sometimes. I find people can struggle to understand because you look okay, they don't appreciate how debilitating it can be so it helps to have someone who can relate.  Stay strong x

[SarahT]

You too Peaches.

I have had some specific  support from a US based fibro forum who also know how ' hidden conditions'  are hard for others to grasp. It's sometime they aren't as ' valid ' as more obvious illnesses? Like this forum it is also a good place to vent on the worst of days - much needed at times.

I did get some leaflets from the UK based fibro web which I am giving my husband to read. He's very supportive but doesn't actually understand the varying symptoms and how they can affect us.

I was lucky to be referred to a clinic that diagnoses ME  ( my gps thoughts ) and also what it is it it's not ME. She gave great advice and references me to more lifestyle changes.

Best thing I read was not to think exercise, think movement.  So crucial to do as much as you think you can with out pushing too far. Any movement is better than none.

For me, all a question of balance .

I wish you well